One of the main reasons we become freelancers is for the freedom. Freedom to work from anywhere, with anyone, on any kind of project. What joy! But with so much flexibility, there are some inescapable truths.
Here are eight common freelancing mistakes and what you can learn from them so you don’t (or don’t continue to) make them.
Freelancing Mistake #1: Not Prospecting
To grow your business, you also need to live by the “ABP” rule—“Always Be Prospecting!” No matter how much work you currently have, no matter how busy you are, no matter how much work you think you have lined up, you always need to be looking for more.
No one is going to bring work to you—at least not in the beginning. The only sure way to avoid a work dry spell is to make sure you’re prospecting year-round.
Whenever we hear from freelancers who say, “I had so much work, but now I don’t have any,” it’s almost always because they stopped pitching.
Pitching in April impacts your work in June and July. Pitching in September impacts your work in late October, November, and December. You need to look ahead and plan for your future, not just your present. This is one inescapable aspect of a successful freelance business.
Luckily, it’s not quite as hard as most people think it is. Set up a system and follow through.
Freelancing Mistake #2: Not Working Weekends
Don’t expect to work every weekend. It’s likely you won’t work many weekends at all. However, at some point when you’re faced with a deadline or have taken on one too many clients at once (hey, it happens to even the most seasoned of us!), you may need to work a weekend.
To be a successful freelancer, you must always hit your deadlines. There is no surer way to dry up your business and kill your freelancing career than missing deadlines.
Freelancing Mistake #3: Not Remembering You’re Only as Good as Your Reputation
No matter where you work from (and most freelancers work remotely), the freelancing community is small. And if you miss deadlines or are difficult to work with, your reputation will follow you.
Luckily, remembering that you are only as good as your reputation is easy to keep in mind. Be flexible, collaborative, and someone your clients can count on. When people like working with you, they’ll also give you referrals. This will help ensure ongoing, incoming work.
Freelancing Mistake #4: Not Sending the Invoice
A shocking number of freelancers are late in sending their invoices for work completed.
Freelancers work hard to get the job done and tend to relax once it’s over. But it’s not over until you’ve sent the invoice—and gotten paid!
Make invoicing your automatic next step once a project is approved. Here are some basic tips to simplify the process >>
Freelancing Mistake #5: Not Saving for Taxes
If you’re doing any kind of freelance work, you’re invoicing and receiving the entire amount. Your client doesn’t pay federal or state taxes on your behalf, so it’s up to you to pay.
You must plan ahead for this. Take 25-40% of every check and sock it away into an account you never touch except in April when it’s time to pay your taxes. (You may pay four times a year if you are required to make quarterly estimated payments.)
You will owe the government money. Plan for it so you don’t come up short!
Here are some basics you need to know about paying freelance taxes >>
We strongly advise you consult a tax professional as soon as you decide to or when you start making freelance income. This will save a lot of heartaches in the future! It may also save you money as professional know about things like expenses you can deduct for your business.
Freelancing Mistake #6: Not Keeping Your Website Current
Having a website is a key step in building (or growing) your freelance career. It’s one of the ways you can show potential clients what your skills and give them some idea of how your services can help their business succeed.
But if you’re not familiar with technology, you will likely feel somewhat overwhelmed with the idea of building and maintaining your own website. You could, of course, hire a freelance designer to help you, but there are several easy tools for making a portfolio website yourself.
Freelancing Mistake #7: Not Doing the Hard Work
Job-bidding sites are a hot trend to grab rookie freelancers and unfairly profit from their work.
The only sure-fire way to create a successful business is by learning how to freelance, practicing your skills, prospecting for new clients, and building your portfolio.
If something seems too easy, then it is. All that those too-good-to-be-true solutions do is waste your time and waste your money.
Freelancing Mistake #8: Not Marketing Yourself
One of the hardest things for us to sell is ourselves—but it’s also the most important to stand out from freelance competition.
Whether you are in an interview for a project, asking for an increase in your rate, or networking, it’s important to set yourself apart from your peers. What is the thing that should make people sit up and take notice of you? What’s your unique selling proposition? What do you bring to the table?
Freelancers need to keep their portfolio updated, maintain their LinkedIn profile, and keep sending pitches.
You need to take your own business just as seriously as those of your clients!
Want to Know More of the Biggest Freelancing Mistakes?
I’ve been a freelancer for more than 15 years with some great success through hard work.
But a necessary part of being successful is learning from mistakes. What separates successful freelancers from those who struggle is learning from our mistakes to ensure we never make them again.
Here’s a little anecdote about one of my biggest mistakes as a freelancer. Hopefully, you can learn from me and avoid following in my stumbling footsteps!
Your Turn
Have you come across any common freelancing mistakes we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments below!
